After suffering a whitewash on Day 1 around Campo America, Team Richie had a mountain to climb on Day 2 as we tackled Campo Europa. Points were required to ensure they didn't suffer the ignominy of being beaten before the singles matches.
Plenty of speculation had taken place, over one or two cervezas the previous evening, about the nature of the line-ups and whether Richie would front-load his team to try and restore some pride early. This second guessing also influenced Matt's team selection, with Tom being nominated as a potential sacrificial lamb going out first.
In an interesting tactical decision, Richie kept his powder dry and pitched Charlie in at the top, creating a battle of the high handicaps in Match 1. Tom started like an express train, quickly establishing a four hole lead. As the game wore on, Charlie defied his unsettled constitution and took three holes on the spin to rattle young Walker. This fightback would ultimately be in vain as Tom took the final hole for the point.
Match 2 saw James paired with Phil (Team Matt) versus Nick & Andy (Team Richie). Some early struggles, not to mention a lost ball or six, allowed Team Richie to lay down a three hole lead after only six holes. Keen to avoid a pasting, James & Phil battled back to all square after a win on the long 15th. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for Team Matt and a weak loss on the short 16th, followed by a nightmare on 17 would provide Team Richie with their first point of the Cup.
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| #6 Campo Europa |
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| Andy is forced to drop his trousers after a short tee shot on #7 Campo Europa |
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| #10 Campo Europa |
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| Andy surveys the scene on #16 Campo Europa |
In Match 3, Julian & skipper Matt took on Mark & captain Richie in what would turn out to be a very tight rubber, with never more than a one hole lead gained by either team. There is a big difference between 4-2 and 5-1, so securing a point for Team Richie would be vital to give them a fighting chance in the singles. Unfortunately, a fine par on the final hole from captain Matt was enough to win the match and ensure his team went into the Campo Asia singles requiring just one point from five.
What a great day of golf - the course was fantastic and even uncharacteristically damp weather couldn't spoil the enjoyment. What is becoming clear is that, in the sweep for total lost balls, nearly everyone has gone far too low.
Day 3 to come and surely only a miracle on a par with Europe's performance in the 2012 Ryder Cup will prevent Team Matt from winning the Harey Cup.
I am the Part-Time Golfer
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